Watching clips left and right, behind the scenes specials - somebody seriously needs to take my computer away from me!

Looks great! The wait is becoming more and more unbearable. "All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."- T.E. Lawrence

If this is the type of stuff the critics didn't like, I don't think we fans don't have a thing to worry about. "All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."- T.E. Lawrence

I was just about to comment on the fact that critics have chalked this up to exposition and said there is too much exposition in the film. Well If all the exposition involves this kind of acting then I'm all for it! -Sir are you classified as human -Negative, I am a meat-popsicle

The more I disagree with negative reviews. Though to be fair none I've read have knocked the acting. But this wasn't boring to this diehard fan, it was thrilling.

Actually, having just watched that other 13 minute preview in 1080p this looks a little blurry in 720. I'm getting spoiled. Arthur: What manner of man are you that can summon up fire without flint or tinder? Tim: I... am an enchanter. Arthur: By what name are you known? Tim: There are some who call me... 'Tim'...? Arthur: ...greetings, Tim the Enchanter.

Agree, some of the critics don't understand the story and
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don't relish in every scene the way we do. It also comes down to the the "like fantasy" or "detest fantasy" crowds. Some people just cannot stand anything that is not reality based and will not allow imagination or wonder to enter their minds. If it isn't gritty, emotionally wrenching, tear jerking, moral vagueness...no good or evil etc, true or realistic modern tales it isn't worthy.

I know there are reasons for wanting a small group interacting,
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but I would love to have seen a few more potential members present - Cirdan, Glorfindel, Erestor, Celeborn etc. even if in the background. However, I understand the reasons for wanting an intimate setting vs the council of Elrond type of shoot on FOTR.

I've been looking forward to this scene since i heard the white council was announced to be in it! You can clearly see Galadriel siding with Gandalf while Saruman/Elrond are more cautious. It's interesting hearing from the Chirstopher Lee interview how 'Saruman is good and noble in these movies', and yet perhaps we can see his slight mistrust/annoyance with gandalf - 'Always must you Meddle!'. Jealous of 'Narya' perhaps? ;)

The Angmar-war did take place earlier than that (1000 years earlier, rather than 400), but a change in timeline wouldn't be something new at this stage. Based on our knowledge of the Nazgûl-tombs, I'd say it'd make a good deal of sense having it be a reference to the Angmar-war, because it'd connect the war with the Nazgûl-tombs (which presumably would be made directly after said war), and neatly explain the peace; They bested and entombed the Nazgûl, and Sauron was thought bested since earlier, so of course there'll be peace.

Excellent clip. If this is the quality we can expect from the dialogue- and exposition-scenes, then I am in no rush to see the action-scenes.

Encyclopedia of Arda has a time frame tool, this is what I got from it:
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According to the Encylopedia of Arda, these are the events that happen roughly 400 years or so before that meeting of the White Council in 2941 Third Age. I'm not sure what would qualify here if anything as the trouble Elrond is alluding to.

Edit: Perhaps Rohan coming to the aid of Gondor? Elrond's wife leaves around this time frame.

The Third Age

2501 Léod is thrown by the horse Felaróf and dies. Eorl the Young becomes Lord of the Éothéod. 2509 Steward Cirion sends messengers into the north to seek aid from the Éothéod against Gondor's enemies. Celebrían is captured by Orcs, and receives a poisoned wound. 2510 The Rohirrim ride to the aid of Gondor and are victorious in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. They are given the land of Calenardhon (Rohan) to dwell in, and Eorl the Young becomes its first King. Departure of Elrond's spouse Celebrían into the West. 2515 Likely date of birth of Húrin son of Hallas, who later ruled Gondor as Steward Húrin II. 2523 Death of Arahad I. He is succeeded as Chieftain of the Dúnedain by his son Aragost. 2542 Birth of Thrór, later King under the Mountain. 2545 Eorl of Rohan is slain in battle. He is succeed as King by his son Brego. Likely date of the birth of Belecthor son of Húrin II, later Ruling Steward Belecthor I of Gondor. 2563 Probable date of the birth of Arahad son of Aravorn, later Chieftain Arahad II of the Dúnedain. 2567 Death of Steward Cirion. He is succeeded by his son Hallas. 2569 Meduseld, the Golden Hall of Edoras, is completed by King Brego. At the feast of celebration, Brego's son Baldor vows to enter the Paths of the Dead. He sets out for the Dwimorberg and is lost. 2570 Death of King Brego of Rohan, from grief at the loss of his son Baldor in the Paths of the Dead. He is succeeded by Baldor's brother Aldor. 2576 Likely date of the birth of Orodreth son of Belecthor I, later Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2585 Death of King Náin II of Durin's Folk. He is succeeded by his son, Dáin. 2588 Death of Chieftain Aragost of the Dúnedain. He is succeeded by his son, Aravorn. 2589 Dáin I and his son Frór are slain by a Cold-drake. Dáin is succeeded by his son Thrór. 2590 Grór, the younger brother of King Thrór of Durin's Folk, leads many Dwarves to settle in the Iron Hills east of Erebor. The Dwarves of Durin's Folk return to Erebor. 2594 Birth of Fréawine, later King of Rohan.

http://www.glyphweb.com/...ar=2600&endage=3Arthur: What manner of man are you that can summon up fire without flint or tinder? Tim: I... am an enchanter. Arthur: By what name are you known? Tim: There are some who call me... 'Tim'...? Arthur: ...greetings, Tim the Enchanter.